TOKYO, March 30. /TASS/. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is going to decline Russia's invitation to participate in Victory Day anniversary celebrations due to be held in Moscow on May 9, the Sankei daily reported Monday citing a source in the government. According to the edition, the decision will be announced publicly in April.

The official will take into consideration that leaders of France, the United States and Germany have decided against participation in the celebrations. The newspaper says the decision on participation may be affected by absence of a peace treaty between Russia and Japan and the situation around the South Kuril Islands. The Kuril Islands, which used to be Japan’s territory before WWII but became part of Russia as a result of the Manchurian Strategic Offensive Operation at the end of WWII, have been a source of dispute between Russia and Japan all through the post-war period.